Question 1

is it necessary that there is an underlying cancer in dermatomyositis and poly myosotis? and does the condition vary from person to person or same?

Accepted Answer

No not necessary: The risk is about 25% in Dermatomyositis and 10% in Polymyositis. All patients need to be screened for cancer which can be of nearly any type but breast, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancers are most common.These diseases by themselves are serious and requires I see monitoring.

Question 2

what causes  dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Dermatomyositis: The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's immune system. It can also sometimes occur in patients who have cancer of the abdomen, lung or other body area.
Anyone can develop dermatomyositis, but it most commonly occurs in children age 5 - 15 and adults age 40 - 60. Women develop this condition more often.

Question 3

what predisposes someone to dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Unclear: One recent study suggests that  heavy muscular exertion and emotional stress may be risk factors -- but the totally honest answer is that we don't know.

Question 4

does dermatomyositis prevent working out?

Accepted Answer

DM can be limiting: The pain and weakness of dermatomyositis can make working out difficult.

Question 5

what are polymyositis  and dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Muscle inflammation: Both conditions are fundamentally a reaction of the immune system that generates inflammation within the body's muscles. The main difference between dermatomyositis and polymyositis is that dermatomyositis has a unique rash but in most other clinical areas they have a rather close similarity to each other.

Question 6

if i had dermatomyositis as a juvenile, can it come back as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Was the diagnosis confirmed.

Question 7

is dermatomyositis serious?

Accepted Answer

It can be: There is a much higher risk of solid organ cancers (lung, colon for example) in patients with dm. Why this is remains unclear.

Question 8

how to live with dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation of musc: Inflammation of muscles.  Assure that it is not caused by medications or by cancer.  Further, assure exercises to maintain muscle strength.

Question 9

what are symptoms of dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Weakness and rash!: Dermatomyositis has characteristicc rashes: heliotrope, gottren's, etc.  A rheumatologist or dermatologist will recognize this. Proximal muscle weakness is the first evidence of muscular disease, and a doctor will check your cpk, which would be elevated. Pts may also experience raynaud's syndrome, and internal organ involvement can occur.  It is a serious disease!

Question 10

what is some info on dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Skin & muscles: Dermatomyositis is a connective-tissue disease, ranging from mild to severe. Milder cases involve only inflammation of the muscles and the skin, while more severe cases also may affect the joints, esophagus, lungs, and even the heart in rare cases. Treatment is difficult but possible, and often effective in the hands of an experienced dermatologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Dermatomyositis and malignancy

A member asked:

Is it necessary that there is an underlying cancer in dermatomyositis and poly myosotis? and does the condition vary from person to person or same?

A member asked:

What causes dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

What predisposes someone to dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

Does dermatomyositis prevent working out?

A member asked:

What are polymyositis and dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

If i had dermatomyositis as a juvenile, can it come back as an adult?

A member asked:

Is dermatomyositis serious?

A member asked:

How to live with dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

What is some info on dermatomyositis?

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